Before and After: Kale Chips!

I love the difference between how food looks before and after it’s cooked, so for some of the things I post here it will be highlighting that.

This is a fun one–Kale Chips!

I first read about Kale Chips on a food blog a couple of years ago, I think it was Kath Eats Real Food. I had never seen kale used for anything but a fancier-than-parsley garnish, and I wasn’t quite ready to start trying it then. But it always stuck with me, and finally, when I realized I needed to start getting way more dark leafy greens into my diet, I looked this up and tried them.

Granted, cooking the kale this way is probably the last way you want to if you’re choosing it for health reasons. There are tons of delicious ways of sauteeing and steaming it that would be better for you. But this is such a great snack that I had to share it with you right away.

Before – Kale (isn’t it beautiful?):

After – Kale Chips!

Please keep in mind that some of these are a teeny tiny bit overcooked. Some of them will be brown, but you want them just a light brown, with most of the curly parts of the kale still green.

Here’s what you do:

Buy yourself a bunch or two of curly green kale. I got mine at the farmer’s market for .99 for a huge bunch. Preheat your oven to 375, and while it’s warming up, wash it well, and drain and pat it dry. Tear off biggish bite sized pieces from the hard stem and put them on a rimmed cookie sheet. Drizzle with olive oil (or spray the leaves, if you have one of those fancy shmancy olive oil sprayers like my friend Kimmy does. I gotta get me one of those, cuz it’s perfect for this), and some  fine sea salt. Really any salt will do, this is just what I prefer.

Also, if you aren’t eating vegan and you want a real treat, try sprinkling some real Parmesan on those bad boys.You can also fool around with different hard cheeses, and spices or seasonings. I like them super simple.

Put them in your preheated oven for about 15 minutes, checking the last few to see if they’re crisp to the touch. You don’t want them soft, cause then they’ll be weird-chewy and not like chips at all.

Eat! Enjoy! Fall in love! These taste remarkably like potato chips. I’m not sure how that is…maybe because I don’t eat potato chips and have forgotten what they actually taste like? Whatever the reason, they are a wonderful, healthful snack that my kids ask for every day.

I hope you love them as much as we do.

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